Your memories of the Oxford Road shops

Chris Cordner

We asked the question on social media and more than 22,000 people responded.

Not Just Tools in Oxford Road.

And loads of you took time to have your say on the old photograph which showed The Granary, Glad Rags, Finlays, and a wine store.

When it came to the finer detail of the shops pictured, you came up with plenty of comments.

Keith Morris, a former Hartlepool resident, said: “I lived opposite the butchers on the junction of Charterhouse Street and Oxford Road. I’m sure his name was Harry, can remember Morrels pork pies, can you still buy them?”

He added: “We left Hartlepool in 1979 though. Has changed significantly since then, when I have visited.”

We left Hartlepool in 1979 though. Has changed significantly since then, when I have visited

Keith Morris

Claire A Bella Wainwright said: “The fruit shop is still there now.”

Ali Green said: “Only shop left originally is fruit and veg at the right hand side ... “From left to right is now a sunbed shop ... Florists ... A closed down mini market.(Baltic mini market) ... Not sure what other one is.”

Denise Marriott said she used to work in Finleys while Lynsey Collins commented: “Only shop I can’t remember is Glad Rags.”

We’re grateful as well to Joyce Griffiths, who said: “Blayneys was second hand shop before was chinese.”

And Brian White told us: “Remember the old knitting shop where Spar is now.”

Andrea Attwell remembered: “Malcolm Piggins best steak pies ever x” and Jo Williamson recalled: “I was talking about them the other day no one else seems to remember them.”

But Mark Dawson did and said: “Especially when they were still warm. Malcolm Piggins best steak pies ever x.”

Velda Cowan was delighted with the trip down Memory Lane and said: “Oh my word not a lot just the names changed on the shops. Finlays where I had paper round.”

Joe Carling described the area as the “best shops in the world”.

And Simon Harrow thought the area had “not changed one little bit like”.

Sammy Prince remembered Sparks the bakers, Lumsden newsagents, an off licence and Shoe Fare “all on that block”.